Behavioral Issues In Dogs – Part 3

Behavioral Issues in Dogs

Another behavioral issue in dogs is excessive barking. For starters, you should never expect your dog to not bark. That’s what they do! They’re trying to tell you something. Sometimes they’re just telling you that a leaf blew across the lawn! It’s that, and the continuous barking that needs to stop, especially when it’s inside.

How to Stop Your Dog From Barking

You’ll never get them to stop barking completely. Again, it’s what they do. Yelling at him won’t help. He’ll just think you’re barking too! It takes time, practice and lots of patience on your part. And before you can train him to stop barking, you have to teach him the “quiet” command. And as silly as it seems, before you can do that, you have to teach him to “speak.”

Teaching Your Dog to Speak

This one’s easy folks! Every time he barks, say “speak!” and give him a treat! Don’t give him any praise with this command, or he’ll think you like his barking. And that’s what we don’t want! Once he learns to bark on command, then, and only then, can you begin to teach him the quiet command.

Teaching the Quiet Command

This command should be used along with some kind of a hand signal. You could put your hand out straight as if you were telling someone to stop. Or you could wave your finger back and forth. Put your finger to your lips. You get the idea. Get him in a quiet room without any distractions. Give him the speak command, without a reward. Then, using your hand signal, say, “quiet!” in a calm but firm voice, while showing him a treat. As soon as he stops barking, give him the treat and praise him. Do this consistently and he’ll learn to stop barking on command!

To Be continued…check back on Wednesday for the conclusion of Behavioral Issues in Dogs. Feel free to leave a comment or suggestion. Sign up for our newsletter (above), and hop on over (and ‘Like’) my Facebook page, and while you’re there, click the button and send me an email!